Report: U.S. to be short 320,000 NPs, RNs by 2032

The U.S. faces a shortfall of 362,000 nurse practitioners and RNs, and 42,000 licensed practical nurses by 2032, according to a report released by Georgetown University’s Center on Education and Workforce. The report says burnout resulting from the pandemic affected the nursing pipeline. In addition, the persistent faculty shortage at schools of nursing due to less competitive salaries compared with what nurses can earn in practice has caused schools of nurses to turn away thousands of qualified candidates each year. The report calls for a “significant investment in postsecondary education and training” as well as implementing teaching and counseling strategies to attract and retain students from backgrounds underrepresented in nursing, who make up an increasing percentage of the U.S. youth population. (Higher Ed Dive brief, 9/16/25)